Picked these up at auction cheap. Being from BTK, I just couldn't pass up. First of all I disagree with the community assessed drinking window. I believe the wine has at least a couple of years left. Red fruits and floral nose is pleasant. Still fresh on the palate with a medium to long finish. I do agree with another member that it lacked the complexity that one would expect from a top shelf BTK, but still a highly enjoyable and mature wine.
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Pale-ish ruby with a garnet rim. Cool red berries, purple flowers and vanilla aromas. Silky smooth entry rolls into an unveiling of ripe strawberry, raspberry and damson plum. Tannins are finely polished and the finish is long and slightly smoky. 15.3% ABV but drinks more like 13.5. Entirely pleasant but expected a little more depth and complexity from To Kalon fruit.
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Had this right after the 2005 Karl Lawrence Beckstoffer To-Kalon Cab. The Provenance is much riper in style, more akin to a Paso Robles variant, and with almost 1% more alcohol. Drink'em if you've got 'em!
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For the money, this was one of my favorite Napa Cabs ever. Ripe fruits all over the palate, flavors stayed in my mouth for a long time. Grab some if you find a bottle, you wont be disappointed.
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A delightful surprise beyond my expectations. Still has dark fruits in balance with acidity and now fully integrated tannins. Firing on all cylinders with a silky mouthfeel and pleasant notes of Napa valley floor and eucalyptus. A real treat and outstanding price to quality wine.
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Absolutely fantastic Napa Cab. Drinking beautifully right now...in it's window for sure. Huge nose; complex and very well balanced throughout. Loads of fruit, well integrated tannins, a touch of earth and eucalyptus on the palate. Will show well for the next few years, but it is likely at it's peak if you like the fruit. 94-96 pts. PJP 2015.
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Great value for a Beckstoffer To-Kalon and recently picked up a 2010 after tasting at the winery so was excited to taste this. Was shocked how vegetable this was....some fruit in the background, but this is full of tomato, carrot, greens...very interesting wine that I liked at some points and then didnt like at some points. Which I like, but hoped for some fruit to back it up, especially from this vineyard. But overall, a fun wine to try and still ok to age for several more years.
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Nice dark purple color. Aromas of young woody vines, some spice. Very smooth on entry to the palate. Not loads of fruit—some black fruit and, maybe, some plum. Interestingly enough the fruit seems to hit at the back of the tongue more than the tip where I normally get it. Very sedate on both the tannin and the acid. I’m glad I opened this one. It is a very good wine, but I see no reason to think that its taking up storage space will derive any future benefit.
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Popped and poured. Nice nose from start. Muted finish initially but evolved as open in glass. Pleasant. Quite good when finished bottle day 3!! Surprising. This in a good spot. Would consume, but give it a decant!
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Father's Day with Family - Five Wines, Four Countries, Three Continents, "Two" Much Food, & One Good Time (Rocknroller's (Kevin & Vicki's Place)): Very dark red-purple color. Decanted half for about 30 minutes to an hour and half stayed in bottle. Drank 2+ glasses over 90 minutes. This just kept getting better and better, and by the end I was pretty delighted. The nose is deep and lush with creme de cassis, berry, mulberry, dark raspberry, dry earth, spice, and some underbrush. The palate is silky, well integrated, balanced and drinking beautifully, creme de cassis, plum, berry, wood spice, lush and elegant with some gravel and a long distinguished finish. Didn't need much decant really, the slow-O in bottle for an hour was plenty. 93+ to 94pts. Man I wish there were more of these.
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Absolutely fantastic cab at this price. Ready to drink now, minimal decant. Loads of fruit on the palate, complex, with a long finish with a touch of heat.
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Deep dark red, just a hint of alcohol, but loaded with complexity. Blackberry, cedar, tar, and a bit of cigar box. Great structure and balance in this Napa Cab. Smooth mid. Ends with a pleasant bit of acid and tannins that are there, but soft. Compliments a grilled steak.
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Very dark red/purple color. Pnp and Vinturied into glasses. Drank 2 glasses over 2.5hrs. Powerful rich nose of cassis, mulberry, blackberry, spice, tobacco, licorice. The palate shows full body, deeply concentrated black fruits of cassis, blackberry, and black cherry with ample amounts of licorice and tobacco, velvety on the palate with silky tannins and good length. There is some spice on the finish and just a hint of alcohol. Excellent and in a good place. 93+ to 94pts.
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Pw/4 hour decant. Med red/purple, some light sediments. Nose/taste on front end was OK. Med body w/decent balance but thin/short finish. Wine faded as night went on. My friend throught somewhat off like it was slightly corked but I didn't note that. Rather flat and not as good or robust as expected considering fruit source. Gift, value $55.
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Either bottle is having an off night or I am. Vegetal taste that lingers. Some heat to go with it. Maybe I am missing something, but this just seems off to me.
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pnp, consumed half on day 1, and the other half on day 3. a little stewed and "tired" on the nose, but the palate and finish were full of earth spice and well-integrated red fruits. certainly on the down side of its life, but still very enjoyable. this never lived up to its hype, but that doesn't mean it's a bad wine. 88-90, and drink now.
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I opened my 7th of 10 bottles of this to pair with a grilled porter house steak and baked potato. If you don't decant this one I don't think you can fully appreciate the depth of flavors and balance of this wine. Opened the bottle, tasted, and my initial reaction was, ho hum, certainly not as good as I remember! I then decanted the bottle; let it sit for about an hour and the wine came alive. Great depth of flavors, more spice and tobacco then fruit, nicely balanced, soft tannins, nice mid-palate with a great finish. I don't decant my wines as often as I should, and this one just begs for it.... decant, decant, decant.
this continues to underwhelm for a btk designated bottle. plum, maybe some spice, cherry extract, and alcohol burn. nothing to fit the btk profile i've come to expect. decent, but on its way downhill already. if scoring, 84-86.
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Great with flat iron steak, red potatoes and caprese salad. I don't see it getting any better and would recommend drinking while the drinking is good. Color starting to turn at the edges.
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This is an excellent California cab, but I'm not seeing the 90+ pts that others have given this wine... Good nose, but a little bit too hot for me. Smooth monotonic palate. Maybe needs more time or simply an off bottle? UPDATE: This improved significantly on day 2 & 3 with the alcohol nose setting back a little bit, revealing a rich and smooth palate.
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Exceptionally good Napa Cab. Violated every known health recommendation by drinking the entire bottle myself (while my wife had a crisp Chenin Blanc on the patio on a 93 degree Saturday). Just couldn't help myself though... such a great bottle.
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Drank over two nights Tightly coiled fruit with a subtle velvet from oak but no vanilla. Ok to drink but never quite opened.... perhaps going through a closed phase or perhaps flawed Very good but not outstanding
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Pop n Pour via Vinturi and 30 min air after that: green sharp spice like bell pepper and herb de Provence inthe nose. Fruit is there but I was unable to parse the flavors (burnt tongue). Think Graves meets California. Finish was long a nd satisfying. I am reluctant to give a number w my injured tongue but seems a 90+
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Very solid wine that completely changes after an hour of decanting. Initially, the wine is tight with no nose to speak of but after an hour, it opens up with a beautiful berry/current nose. Then a nice balance between pepper, leather and dark berry fruit. The tannins are still strong which suggests this wine has many more yearsvof life in it.
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Decanted. Prominent pepper, particularly up front. The fruit is restrained but blackberry and blueberry are there with a touch of sweetness. Coffee is present on the lingering finish. Lots of character and quality.
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2005 Provenance Oakville Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard napa cab (WS92) 15.3%. Best showing yet for this; 3 bottles remain from a total of 7. Palate dominated by the currant at the moment, but better body and balance (no prominent alcohol). A bit clipped on the finish. RF93.
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consistent with prior notes, although i would upgrade the color and concentration from watery to medium-body, and i would downgrade (just a bit) the overall balance because i felt this lacked enough of an acidic backbone.
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Closed off on initial tasting, with heavy notes of leather, wood, and tobacco on the nose. After two hours in the decanter, had begun to open, with flavors of dark cherry, cassis, and smooth tannins balancing it all.
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Enjoyed in a social setting so no formal notes, but this was doing really well tonight with a 2 hour decant. Less complex than I remember, this had a beautiful acidity that perfectly cut through the steak tonight. Some heat showed on the finish some tastes, but all together though this wine was drinking really well tonight.
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Minneapolis Wine Club does US Cabs; 4/18/2010-4/21/2010 (Shari's House): Solid wine with cherry, spice, oak and vanilla on the nose. A juicy palate with good acidity. Plenty backbone on this wine and a medium finish. I decanted this wine 3 hours and I would imagine it would have tasted better day 2.
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2005 Provenance Beckstoffer Tokalon cab WS92 (15.3%). Nice right out of the bottle; better than 1st 2 bottles (recovering from bottle shock due to extreme cold weather shipping?). Plenty of currant and chocolate. Medium bodied; shows a bit of alcoholic heat. A bit watery. RF92.
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I bought four more of these on sale at Wades. Popped and poured at The Counter with a gourmet burger. First the burger: A 2/3 lb beef burger with pepper jack cheese, bacon, sauteed onions, bbq sauce, lettuce, scallions, on a wheat bun, served with a side of sweet potato fries; a perfect pairing!
The wine was, as before, fruit forward, plenty of tannins, and notes of coffee/mocha, currant, oak, and blackberry. I did not get any vegetal taste or green pepper as has been reported by others. Very nice finish.
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Medium ruby in the glass with light violet edges. Translucent and a bit watery impression. The nose initially sang of cassis and even a hint of plums. The midpalate was disjointed, thin and lacking any wow factor. The finish was solid enough with red and black fruits, baking spices and a softness I liked. As it opened, the nose took on a bit of bell pepper and mint mixed with the ripe fruits. I didn't hate this, but in a flight I think it would be dwarfed by other similarly priced '05 Napa cabs. I hope this isn't the best that To-Kalon has to offer...
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Quite a surprise - WOTN. Had a good long hour to sit and open before we poured. Nose of caramel, toffe, mocha and a good strong rose/floral. Great looking deep reddish purple color and almost viscous looking. In the mouth, it was a chewy combination of the same flavors on the nose, but mised with some fresh strawberry and blackberry tastes. Great lingering finish, 30 seconds or so. Rivals my '05 Leal Godsend.
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This needed about 20 minutes in the glass to start to come together. A complex, floral nose featuring cocoa, raspberry, wet stone and a hint of cinammon. Palate is silky-smooth and full, with tons of dark chocolate and kirsch. The finish is slightly acidic and non-tannic. Mocha flavors linger for a really long time.
This is a very nice deal if JJ has some more for $39. It doesn't appear to need to age, so drink 'em if you've got 'em!
40+5+5+17+7+9=93
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Napa Valley, July 2009; 7/9/2009-7/11/2009 (Napa Valley, CA): This cab has a soft, dark nose with currant fruits all mixed up in coffee and chocolate scents. The wine is already nicely integrated on the front end, and delivers the interesting combination of flavors hinted at by the nose. Everything is clean across the mid palate, and the chocolate flavors linger throughout the enjoyable finish. I want to cook a pot roast with this wine bigtime. There's a lot of potential here for some awesome food pairings. I think a reduction with venison or some other heavier game meat could also be fantastic.
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My first trip to Napa, Ca.; 7/9/2009-7/11/2009: Smells like a beautiful mix of coffee and dark chocolate with berry undertones. On the palate is dark chocolate covered red berries, coffee notes with light tobacco. The fruit is balanced by the other flavors of this wine, this is drinking really well right now. This was a very interesting cabernet with definite complexities, a real joy to drink. I had to buy some it was so good. The only reason I don't go higher is it is a bit light on the palate, was hoping for more weight. That said this was great wine.
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Decanted one hour before drinking. Started out soft and without much character. Another 10 minutes in the glass and it came alive. Wonderful fruit, blackberry, smoke, a touch of spice, with a long finish. Have another two and plan to try to get a few more.
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Well integrated even at such a young age. Smooth mouthfeel. Vanilla, dark berries, & tobacco. Could use more time in the bottle or give it a few hours of air.
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6/6/2023 - hsunch@yahoo.com Likes this wine: 91 Points
Picked these up at auction cheap. Being from BTK, I just couldn't pass up. First of all I disagree with the community assessed drinking window. I believe the wine has at least a couple of years left. Red fruits and floral nose is pleasant. Still fresh on the palate with a medium to long finish. I do agree with another member that it lacked the complexity that one would expect from a top shelf BTK, but still a highly enjoyable and mature wine.
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5/8/2021 - BoulderWine Does not like this wine: 86 Points
For me, this wine was over the top in ripeness, I recall that the alcohol level is 15+%. Very disappointing given the vineyard reputation.
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11/9/2020 - DavidWong168 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Pale-ish ruby with a garnet rim. Cool red berries, purple flowers and vanilla aromas. Silky smooth entry rolls into an unveiling of ripe strawberry, raspberry and damson plum. Tannins are finely polished and the finish is long and slightly smoky. 15.3% ABV but drinks more like 13.5. Entirely pleasant but expected a little more depth and complexity from To Kalon fruit.
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11/26/2019 - JimH7 wrote: 93 Points
Started tannic with finishing notes of vanilla. Tannic and fruity after awhile
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11/20/2017 - joraesque wrote: 89 Points
Had this right after the 2005 Karl Lawrence Beckstoffer To-Kalon Cab. The Provenance is much riper in style, more akin to a Paso Robles variant, and with almost 1% more alcohol. Drink'em if you've got 'em!
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6/25/2017 - D3S Likes this wine: 95 Points
Great nose, fruit, cedar, tobacco with nice long finish. Paired well wit ribeye. Drinking well and should have a few years left.
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5/12/2017 - Tmoney018 Likes this wine: 93 Points
For the money, this was one of my favorite Napa Cabs ever. Ripe fruits all over the palate, flavors stayed in my mouth for a long time. Grab some if you find a bottle, you wont be disappointed.
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12/30/2016 - johnnyo wrote: 93 Points
Outstanding! Drank over 2 days, showing a little more integrated 2nd day. Rich and velvety with great balance, structure and finesse.
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11/23/2016 - Thief Likes this wine: 95 Points
A delightful surprise beyond my expectations. Still has dark fruits in balance with acidity and now fully integrated tannins. Firing on all cylinders with a silky mouthfeel and pleasant notes of Napa valley floor and eucalyptus. A real treat and outstanding price to quality wine.
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12/25/2015 - johnnyo wrote: 92 Points
Excellent QPR!
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8/29/2015 - ppaluszewski Likes this wine: 95 Points
Absolutely fantastic Napa Cab. Drinking beautifully right now...in it's window for sure. Huge nose; complex and very well balanced throughout. Loads of fruit, well integrated tannins, a touch of earth and eucalyptus on the palate. Will show well for the next few years, but it is likely at it's peak if you like the fruit. 94-96 pts. PJP 2015.
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5/29/2015 - SonnyChiba wrote: 89 Points
Great value for a Beckstoffer To-Kalon and recently picked up a 2010 after tasting at the winery so was excited to taste this. Was shocked how vegetable this was....some fruit in the background, but this is full of tomato, carrot, greens...very interesting wine that I liked at some points and then didnt like at some points. Which I like, but hoped for some fruit to back it up, especially from this vineyard. But overall, a fun wine to try and still ok to age for several more years.
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3/23/2015 - EMark Likes this wine:
Nice dark purple color. Aromas of young woody vines, some spice. Very smooth on entry to the palate. Not loads of fruit—some black fruit and, maybe, some plum. Interestingly enough the fruit seems to hit at the back of the tongue more than the tip where I normally get it. Very sedate on both the tannin and the acid. I’m glad I opened this one. It is a very good wine, but I see no reason to think that its taking up storage space will derive any future benefit.
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3/11/2015 - europat55 wrote: 92 Points
Some heat on the nose. Lots of concentration on the palate. Outstanding wine!
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2/16/2015 - brucerob wrote:
Off bottle - slightly corked? No score
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9/13/2014 - IGN WINESNOB Likes this wine: 93 Points
Popped and poured. Nice nose from start. Muted finish initially but evolved as open in glass. Pleasant. Quite good when finished bottle day 3!! Surprising. This in a good spot. Would consume, but give it a decant!
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6/15/2014 - rocknroller wrote: 93 Points
Father's Day with Family - Five Wines, Four Countries, Three Continents, "Two" Much Food, & One Good Time (Rocknroller's (Kevin & Vicki's Place)): Very dark red-purple color. Decanted half for about 30 minutes to an hour and half stayed in bottle. Drank 2+ glasses over 90 minutes. This just kept getting better and better, and by the end I was pretty delighted. The nose is deep and lush with creme de cassis, berry, mulberry, dark raspberry, dry earth, spice, and some underbrush. The palate is silky, well integrated, balanced and drinking beautifully, creme de cassis, plum, berry, wood spice, lush and elegant with some gravel and a long distinguished finish. Didn't need much decant really, the slow-O in bottle for an hour was plenty. 93+ to 94pts. Man I wish there were more of these.
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3/16/2014 - mary k wrote:
- Garnet color - Wonderful. Well balanced flavors and strong, attractive nose. Had with steak 3/14.
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9/29/2013 - ChadRS wrote: 95 Points
Absolutely fantastic cab at this price. Ready to drink now, minimal decant. Loads of fruit on the palate, complex, with a long finish with a touch of heat.
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8/4/2013 - IGN WINESNOB Likes this wine: 92 Points
Popped and v'd. No decant. Great! Wonderful nose, and perfect finish. Just a great wine. Continues to deliver.
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7/20/2013 - RR47 wrote: 92 Points
Deep dark red, just a hint of alcohol, but loaded with complexity. Blackberry, cedar, tar, and a bit of cigar box. Great structure and balance in this Napa Cab. Smooth mid. Ends with a pleasant bit of acid and tannins that are there, but soft. Compliments a grilled steak.
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3/23/2013 - rocknroller wrote: 93 Points
Very dark red/purple color. Pnp and Vinturied into glasses. Drank 2 glasses over 2.5hrs. Powerful rich nose of cassis, mulberry, blackberry, spice, tobacco, licorice. The palate shows full body, deeply concentrated black fruits of cassis, blackberry, and black cherry with ample amounts of licorice and tobacco, velvety on the palate with silky tannins and good length. There is some spice on the finish and just a hint of alcohol. Excellent and in a good place. 93+ to 94pts.
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3/18/2013 - Barry Notes Likes this wine: 89 Points
Pw/4 hour decant. Med red/purple, some light sediments. Nose/taste on front end was OK. Med body w/decent balance but thin/short finish. Wine faded as night went on. My friend throught somewhat off like it was slightly corked but I didn't note that. Rather flat and not as good or robust as expected considering fruit source. Gift, value $55.
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2/3/2013 - rwilk_2000 wrote: flawed
Either bottle is having an off night or I am. Vegetal taste that lingers. Some heat to go with it. Maybe I am missing something, but this just seems off to me.
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1/27/2013 - caeleric Likes this wine:
pnp, consumed half on day 1, and the other half on day 3. a little stewed and "tired" on the nose, but the palate and finish were full of earth spice and well-integrated red fruits. certainly on the down side of its life, but still very enjoyable. this never lived up to its hype, but that doesn't mean it's a bad wine. 88-90, and drink now.
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1/23/2013 - que syrah syrah Likes this wine: 90 Points
I opened my 7th of 10 bottles of this to pair with a grilled porter house steak and baked potato. If you don't decant this one I don't think you can fully appreciate the depth of flavors and balance of this wine. Opened the bottle, tasted, and my initial reaction was, ho hum, certainly not as good as I remember! I then decanted the bottle; let it sit for about an hour and the wine came alive. Great depth of flavors, more spice and tobacco then fruit, nicely balanced, soft tannins, nice mid-palate with a great finish. I don't decant my wines as often as I should, and this one just begs for it.... decant, decant, decant.
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9/27/2012 - caeleric wrote:
this continues to underwhelm for a btk designated bottle. plum, maybe some spice, cherry extract, and alcohol burn. nothing to fit the btk profile i've come to expect. decent, but on its way downhill already. if scoring, 84-86.
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9/6/2012 - BinVA wrote: 93 Points
Great with flat iron steak, red potatoes and caprese salad. I don't see it getting any better and would recommend drinking while the drinking is good. Color starting to turn at the edges.
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8/12/2012 - IGN WINESNOB wrote: 94 Points
Popped and poured. Great! Wonderful nose, and perfect finish. Just a great wine.
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7/28/2012 - Wino from Michigan wrote: 93 Points
Very nice -- great fruit on the nose and the palate and the structure was amazing -- really good wine -- the best provenance I have ever had!
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5/29/2012 - europat55 wrote: 90 Points
This is an excellent California cab, but I'm not seeing the 90+ pts that others have given this wine... Good nose, but a little bit too hot for me. Smooth monotonic palate. Maybe needs more time or simply an off bottle?
UPDATE: This improved significantly on day 2 & 3 with the alcohol nose setting back a little bit, revealing a rich and smooth palate.
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5/27/2012 - steveabb wrote: 95 Points
Exceptionally good Napa Cab. Violated every known health recommendation by drinking the entire bottle myself (while my wife had a crisp Chenin Blanc on the patio on a 93 degree Saturday). Just couldn't help myself though... such a great bottle.
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4/23/2012 - IGN WINESNOB wrote: 91 Points
Popped and V'd. Nice on the nose from the start. Opened quickly and very pleasant finish. Almost a mocha type experience.
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2/8/2012 - IGN WINESNOB wrote: 92 Points
Consumed immediately from pour. Opened quickly in glass. 5 minutes in, just fantastic. Nice on the nose, great finish. Real nice.
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1/29/2012 - Tiborones wrote:
This was excellent. Silky with mocha...dangerously smooth.
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1/19/2012 - IGN WINESNOB wrote: 93 Points
Popped and venturi d day one, GREAT! Nice nose, great finish a real nice wine. Perfect day two finishing the bottle. Well done.
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11/2/2011 - IGN WINESNOB wrote: 93 Points
Very surprised. Decanted for an hour, great finish, great nose, wonderful color. Had an 06 a month ago, and was unimpressed. This 05 was great.
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10/23/2011 - VoteferPedro wrote:
Drank over two nights
Tightly coiled fruit with a subtle velvet from oak but no vanilla. Ok to drink but never quite opened.... perhaps going through a closed phase or perhaps flawed
Very good but not outstanding
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10/10/2011 - 3500lly wrote: flawed
Corked. Had a bottle of '05 Provenance Merlot instead which was much better.
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5/22/2011 - xcblazer10 wrote: 90 Points
Exactly how I envisioned a solid Napa Cab. Full bodied and dark inky color.
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3/20/2011 - VoteferPedro wrote:
Pop n Pour via Vinturi and 30 min air after that: green sharp spice like bell pepper and herb de Provence inthe nose. Fruit is there but I was unable to parse the flavors (burnt tongue). Think Graves meets California. Finish was long a nd satisfying. I am reluctant to give a number w my injured tongue but seems a 90+
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2/24/2011 - Schiffy wrote: 90 Points
Very solid wine that completely changes after an hour of decanting. Initially, the wine is tight with no nose to speak of but after an hour, it opens up with a beautiful berry/current nose. Then a nice balance between pepper, leather and dark berry fruit. The tannins are still strong which suggests this wine has many more yearsvof life in it.
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12/27/2010 - michal wrote: 92 Points
Not as much coffee as the last bottle. Slight vegetal notes. Very enjoyable. Paired well with prime rib.
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12/13/2010 - jinks wrote: 90 Points
Enjoyed this bottle - a pretty standard napa cab, quality consistent with the apparent price
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8/28/2010 - gmbdds wrote: 92 Points
Decanted. Prominent pepper, particularly up front. The fruit is restrained but blackberry and blueberry are there with a touch of sweetness. Coffee is present on the lingering finish. Lots of character and quality.
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8/20/2010 - ricko wrote: 93 Points
2005 Provenance Oakville Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard napa cab (WS92) 15.3%. Best showing yet for this; 3 bottles remain from a total of 7. Palate dominated by the currant at the moment, but better body and balance (no prominent alcohol). A bit clipped on the finish. RF93.
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7/22/2010 - caeleric Likes this wine: 90 Points
consistent with prior notes, although i would upgrade the color and concentration from watery to medium-body, and i would downgrade (just a bit) the overall balance because i felt this lacked enough of an acidic backbone.
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6/27/2010 - campinmonkey wrote: 90 Points
Closed off on initial tasting, with heavy notes of leather, wood, and tobacco on the nose. After two hours in the decanter, had begun to open, with flavors of dark cherry, cassis, and smooth tannins balancing it all.
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4/24/2010 - gripNsip wrote:
Enjoyed in a social setting so no formal notes, but this was doing really well tonight with a 2 hour decant. Less complex than I remember, this had a beautiful acidity that perfectly cut through the steak tonight. Some heat showed on the finish some tastes, but all together though this wine was drinking really well tonight.
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4/19/2010 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 92 Points
Minneapolis Wine Club does US Cabs; 4/18/2010-4/21/2010 (Shari's House): Solid wine with cherry, spice, oak and vanilla on the nose. A juicy palate with good acidity. Plenty backbone on this wine and a medium finish. I decanted this wine 3 hours and I would imagine it would have tasted better day 2.
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3/6/2010 - bigdomer wrote: 91 Points
Excellent. Lighter than I expected, but still very impressive fruit.
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2/19/2010 - Nancy&Chris wrote: 92 Points
will be even better with age!
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2/10/2010 - ricko wrote: 92 Points
2005 Provenance Beckstoffer Tokalon cab WS92 (15.3%). Nice right out of the bottle; better than 1st 2 bottles (recovering from bottle shock due to extreme cold weather shipping?). Plenty of currant and chocolate. Medium bodied; shows a bit of alcoholic heat. A bit watery. RF92.
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1/24/2010 - bwine wrote: 92 Points
Very solid Cab; not a whole lot of complexity but smooth with a nice, lingering finish.
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1/6/2010 - bruce61 wrote: 93 Points
I bought four more of these on sale at Wades. Popped and poured at The Counter with a gourmet burger. First the burger: A 2/3 lb beef burger with pepper jack cheese, bacon, sauteed onions, bbq sauce, lettuce, scallions, on a wheat bun, served with a side of sweet potato fries; a perfect pairing!
The wine was, as before, fruit forward, plenty of tannins, and notes of coffee/mocha, currant, oak, and blackberry. I did not get any vegetal taste or green pepper as has been reported by others. Very nice finish.
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12/24/2009 - caeleric wrote: 90 Points
Medium ruby in the glass with light violet edges. Translucent and a bit watery impression. The nose initially sang of cassis and even a hint of plums. The midpalate was disjointed, thin and lacking any wow factor. The finish was solid enough with red and black fruits, baking spices and a softness I liked. As it opened, the nose took on a bit of bell pepper and mint mixed with the ripe fruits. I didn't hate this, but in a flight I think it would be dwarfed by other similarly priced '05 Napa cabs. I hope this isn't the best that To-Kalon has to offer...
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12/15/2009 - dannyk8232 wrote: 92 Points
Lotsa cassis. Lotsa chocolate. Smooth finish. Delicious. In its drinking window.
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10/30/2009 - pmilne wrote: 94 Points
Quite a surprise - WOTN. Had a good long hour to sit and open before we poured. Nose of caramel, toffe, mocha and a good strong rose/floral. Great looking deep reddish purple color and almost viscous looking. In the mouth, it was a chewy combination of the same flavors on the nose, but mised with some fresh strawberry and blackberry tastes. Great lingering finish, 30 seconds or so. Rivals my '05 Leal Godsend.
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10/27/2009 - michal wrote: 92 Points
Great wine. Big coffee notes at first. After an hour in the glass, sweet cherries. Two hours and green pepper came through. Very enjoyable.
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10/22/2009 - dannyk8232 wrote: 93 Points
This needed about 20 minutes in the glass to start to come together. A complex, floral nose featuring cocoa, raspberry, wet stone and a hint of cinammon. Palate is silky-smooth and full, with tons of dark chocolate and kirsch. The finish is slightly acidic and non-tannic. Mocha flavors linger for a really long time.
This is a very nice deal if JJ has some more for $39. It doesn't appear to need to age, so drink 'em if you've got 'em!
40+5+5+17+7+9=93
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10/18/2009 - Surfdoc wrote: 88 Points
Fruit forward wine with moderate alcohol heat. Flavor seemed simple and lacked complexity. I expected more from this producer and vineyard.
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7/16/2009 - RR47 wrote: 92 Points
Blackberries and expresso, decanted and definitely needed time to open. Drinking the next day it was alive and more expressive. Beautiful cab.
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7/11/2009 - subtlet wrote: 90 Points
Napa Valley, July 2009; 7/9/2009-7/11/2009 (Napa Valley, CA): This cab has a soft, dark nose with currant fruits all mixed up in coffee and chocolate scents. The wine is already nicely integrated on the front end, and delivers the interesting combination of flavors hinted at by the nose. Everything is clean across the mid palate, and the chocolate flavors linger throughout the enjoyable finish. I want to cook a pot roast with this wine bigtime. There's a lot of potential here for some awesome food pairings. I think a reduction with venison or some other heavier game meat could also be fantastic.
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7/11/2009 - gripNsip wrote: 91 Points
My first trip to Napa, Ca.; 7/9/2009-7/11/2009: Smells like a beautiful mix of coffee and dark chocolate with berry undertones. On the palate is dark chocolate covered red berries, coffee notes with light tobacco. The fruit is balanced by the other flavors of this wine, this is drinking really well right now. This was a very interesting cabernet with definite complexities, a real joy to drink. I had to buy some it was so good. The only reason I don't go higher is it is a bit light on the palate, was hoping for more weight. That said this was great wine.
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5/12/2009 - bruce61 wrote: 90 Points
Popped and poured. Definitely needed a decanter but slowly came around towards the end of dinner.
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5/9/2009 - ews3 wrote: 91 Points
Wine Spectator Grand Tour 2009 (Borgata -- Atlantic City, NJ): Didn't taste like To Kalon to me. surprising. Sweet Plum. Medium(+) finish.
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3/14/2009 - bruce61 wrote: 93 Points
Decanted one hour before drinking. Started out soft and without much character. Another 10 minutes in the glass and it came alive. Wonderful fruit, blackberry, smoke, a touch of spice, with a long finish. Have another two and plan to try to get a few more.
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12/6/2008 - Schu wrote: 92 Points
Well integrated even at such a young age. Smooth mouthfeel. Vanilla, dark berries, & tobacco. Could use more time in the bottle or give it a few hours of air.
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9/13/2008 - Matt T wrote: 91 Points
Very smooth. Cherry flavors and French oak. Nice finish.
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